Spartans Start SSC Play with Shutout Win

MORROW, Ga. — The No. 12 University of Tampa men's soccer team kicked off conference play in the Sunshine State Conference with a road win at Embry-Riddle.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #12 Tampa 1, Embry-Riddle 0

Records: #12 Tampa 4-0-1, 1-0, Embry-Riddle 1-5, 0-1

Location: Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium | Daytona Beach, Fl.

All-time series: The Spartans lead the all-time series with the Eagles 10-2-3.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

First Half: 

The Spartans started this game well and were quickly rewarded when Rodrigo Lopes scored his 5th goal of the season in the 8th minute with assists by Gregor Geru and Mathias Schilbred-Eriksen. The Spartans kept the pressure on for the rest of the half recording 7 total shots compared to 3 from the Eagles.

Score: 1-0 Tampa

Second Half: 

The Eagles made their big attempt to tie the game in the second half as they recorded 9 total shots. However, the Spartan defense held strong with Alex Hare making a big time save in the 89th minute to secure the Spartan lead. The Spartan defense kept the Eagles off the board to record their first clean sheet of the season. 

Score: 1-0 Tampa 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Hare started in goal for the Spartans, recording 4 saves.
• Lopes' 5th goal matches his goal total from last season in only the 5th game of the season
• Geru and Schilbred-Eriksen each recorded the first assist of their respective Spartan careers. 
• Four Spartans played the full 90 minutes; Luca Bergmann, Leonard Bogeskar, Jannik Brengel, and Hare.

UP NEXT: The Spartans make a return trip to the peach state when they face Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday at 2:00pm in Columbus, Ga.